Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid announces Iran deal support

Back from a notably uneventful and restful two-week vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, Obama was immediately on the road for a short trip here, first to speak at a green energy conference hosted by retiring Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, then to raise money for his preferred successor, former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. The only two Senate Democrats who have publicly come out against the agreement so far are Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) and Robert Menendez (N.J.). With Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid now on board, the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers seems to be picking up the momentum it needs to survive fierce opposition in Congress from its Republican opponents. “America must choose between the following: an worldwide coalition working together to stop a nuclear Iran while increasing our joint efforts to stop their non-nuclear terrorist activities, or no global effort, no surveillance, no accountability and a nuclear Iran within a few months“, she said.

Despite tension and continuing mutual mistrust, Iran’s government and U.S. President Barack Obama’s White House are partners in the same fight, telling their domestic audiences that the July 14 deal is as good as it gets.

“Ensuring Israel’s security is of the utmost importance to me“, Reid said.

The US president endorsed Reid’s support. Reid endorsed the Iran deal just last week, boosting the chances that Democrats can stave off opposition to the deal.

Many caution it remains a remote possibility with Republicans unanimously opposed and Israeli officials arguing vehemently against a deal they say could empower enemies sworn to their destruction.

It’s not much better news on the Iran nuclear deal front with 60 percent saying they don’t approve of how Obama has worked the relationship with Iran.

Accordingly, during the coming year, the other countries who have signed the agreement and Iran will abide with the terms of the agreement and some of the sanctions will be lifted.

“(I)n an imperfect world, there is no better alternative to the agreement”, Nolan said.

Congress plans a vote on September 17th on a resolution disapproving of the deal, which President Obama has threatened to veto.

“That whip count, along with many private conversations he has had with undeclared Democrats, led Reid to pronounce he was “cautiously optimistic” that he would be able to secure enough support to prevent an override of Obama’s veto of a resolution opposing the deal”.

This morning, Congressman Seth Moulton sent the following message to the White House email list to share why, as a combat veteran, he supports the Iran deal.

Murray, from Washington state, says it’s “not a flawless deal”, and that there are parts of it she would “like to be stronger”. American intelligence is particularly interested in the supply chain for Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the uranium mines and facilities for making centrifuges, for example.

Obama also praised Democrats in Congress who were willing to support his diplomatic effort.